Spirituality : a neglected aspect in the holistic approach when counselling abused women?

Abstract

Abused women need much of understanding and support. Their problem is vast and profound. It concerns all their energies and all their life, the assistance and help given to them by any professional, should be holistic. Any help that is not holistic could damage these women rather then help them. In my experience with abused women, even before commencing my diploma course in Social Work, I felt that the support and help given to them was not holistic. The attention was more focused on the problem rather than the person. Many professionals were task oriented rather then person oriented. I felt that the spiritual aspect of the person was not taken into consideration at all or minimised. If the spiritual aspect of the person is not taken into consideration, the approach cannot be holistic. In this study I have tried to show that the holistic approach is important. Since the holistic approach by its very nature includes various aspects, the spiritual side cannot be ignored. I am also giving some suggestions to show how the spiritual aspect is to be dealt with in counselling.